Sawyer's birth story (as written in Sawyers journal)

Ready to go home from the hospital

Sawyer Benjamin Jeppsen
October 23, 2009
3:07pm
5lbs 7oz
18 ½ inches

The previous two weeks before your birth Dr. Housel noticed you were not growing at a normal rate and decided it would be best to induce labor to have you. I went in on a Thursday to my appointment and was started the morning after on Friday.

I wanted to try to have you natural. They started the pitocin at 7:15am. I handled the labor very well. Letting my body relax with each contraction. My nurse Shirley was amazing. She had both of her children natural and was very supportive. After I had labored for several hours I decided at about 2:30pm I wanted an epidural. By the time the anesthesiologist got to the room my water had broke. Your dad and grandma Carr left the room while your aunt Andrea stayed to help me with the epidural. She was sitting in a chair and they had raised the bed so I could put my legs on the arms of the chair. While they were doing the epidural I had a contraction and some of my water went on your aunt Andrea. By the time they were done with the epidural and checked me I was dilated to an 8 and could still feel the contractions. They said it was time and called the doctor. I had the urge to push with the contractions, but they wouldn’t let me till the doctor got there. When the doctor got there he said it looks like all we will need is one push and you would be here, but it took three contraction of pushing to get you into the world. I cried when I felt you come out. I was emotionally overwhelmed. They put you on me and the first thing I said was Benjamin Jeppsen you looked just like your daddy. He looked and knew right away that you were his little boy and you resembled him. I couldn’t stop calling you by your father’s name. That is why your middle name is Benjamin. We had two names in mind for you Dayson and Sawyer. We felt like Sawyer sounded best with Benjamin Jeppsen. That is how you received your name Sawyer Benjamin Jeppsen.

Your dad had an 8 hour test he had to take in Salt Lake City. So he left the hospital that following morning to take the exam. By this time you had not eaten very much and what you did eat would come back up. You also weren’t digesting anything. This was causing your jaundice level to increase and you couldn’t keep your temperature. By the time your dad had come back I knew there was something wrong. The nurses told me they would talk to the pediatrician and see what the best option would be for you. Around 9:00 Saturday night I received a phone call from Dr. Allred the pediatrician at the hospital. Telling me that they decided you needed more extensive care and it would be best for you to be placed in the NICU. It is hard to explain the feelings I had when I received this news, but I knew it would be best for you. Dad and I went with you as they took you to the NICU. Dr. Simmons came in late to observe your condition. They took a few X-rays and tests to look at your condition. Dr. Simmons decided you needed some suppositories to get your digestive system going. After several of these you finally started eating. They did put you under lights for jaundice for a day and monitored everything very closely. Your father and I would travel everyday and spend most of our day in the NICU feeding you and watching your progress. Your sister had to go to Grandma Jeppsens or Grandma Carrs , because children were not allowed in the NICU. We finally got to bring you home on Thursday October 29th.

We are so grateful to finally have you home. We are now a family. Sadie loves you very much and is enjoying “baby Sawyer”. She likes to swing you in your swing. Although there is not very much sleep happening in our home we are enjoying life. You get up every 4 hours to eat. Your sister wakes up during the night and won’t go back to sleep, because her two year molars are coming in. It is all worth it! We love you very much and are excited about watching you grow and learn.